Board connector

Abstract

To prevent a relative displacement of a terminal fitting against a housing.SOLUTION: A board connector A comprises: a housing 10 having a terminal housing chamber 13; and a first terminal fitting 30. The first terminal fitting 30 includes: a terminal main body part 31 that is housed in the terminal housing chamber 13; and a first substrate connection part 37 that is extended to a rear direction from the terminal main body part 31, and is arranged to an external part of the housing 10. The terminal main body part 31 includes: a depression projection 36 that depresses an inner wall part of the terminal housing chamber 13; and an elastic contact piece 35 that can be elastically deformed. The housing 10 includes a rear wall part 21 that is positioned so as to be opposite from the rear direction to a rear end part of the terminal main body part 31. In the rear wall part 21, an insertion groove 23 for inserting the first substrate connection part 37 is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a board connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector having a housing and multiple plug terminals, and mounted on a circuit board. A plurality of spaces partitioned by walls are formed inside the housing. The plug terminal is a single component having a main body portion accommodated in the space, legs extending from the main body portion, and a mounting piece connected to the legs and mounted on a cable. A press-fit protrusion is formed on the main body portion. The plug terminal is attached to the housing by inserting the main body portion into the space. The main body portion inserted into the space is prevented from coming off by the press-fit protrusion being forced into the inner wall of the space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-192612 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A plug terminal is a component formed by bending a metal plate material of a predetermined shape. A contact piece that elastically contacts a mating terminal is formed on the main body. In order to reduce the frictional resistance during the connection process between the contact piece and the mating terminal, it is preferable to reduce the thickness of the metal plate material. However, when the thickness of the metal plate material is reduced, the rigidity of the press-fit protrusion decreases, which causes a problem that the main body part that is press-fitted into the space is easily pulled out.

[0005] The board connector of the present disclosure has been completed in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to prevent relative displacement of the terminal fittings with respect to the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The board connector of the present disclosure comprises: a housing having a terminal receiving chamber; and a terminal fitting made of a metal plate material, The terminal fitting has a terminal body portion accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber and a board connecting portion extending rearward from the terminal body portion and disposed outside the housing, The terminal body has a press-fit protrusion that presses against an inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber and a resiliently deformable resilient contact piece, The housing has a rear wall portion located so as to face the rear end portion of the terminal body from behind, The rear wall portion has an insertion space through which the board connection portion is inserted. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the terminal fitting from being displaced relative to the housing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a board connector according to a first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the retainer before it is attached to the housing body, as viewed obliquely from above and rear. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the board connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the retainer as viewed obliquely from above and rearward. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first terminal fitting as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second terminal fitting as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the board connector of the second embodiment as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the board connector. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional plan view of the board connector. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the state in which the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings are attached to the housing body during the process of assembling the board connector, as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective view of the state in which the retainer has been attached from the state shown in FIG. 10 in the process of assembling the board connector, as viewed obliquely from above and rear. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the retainer as viewed obliquely from above and rearward. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the retainer as viewed obliquely from above and from the front. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the first terminal fitting as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the second terminal fitting as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the board connector of the third embodiment as viewed obliquely from above and from the front. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the board connector as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the board connector. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings are attached to the housing body during the process of assembling the board connector. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the housing main body as viewed obliquely from above and from the front. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the front member as viewed obliquely from above and in front. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the front member as viewed obliquely from above and behind. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. Any combination of the following embodiments without causing any contradiction is also included in the embodiment for carrying out the present invention. The board connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A terminal fitting includes a housing having a terminal accommodating chamber and a terminal fitting made of a metal plate, the terminal fitting has a terminal body portion accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber and a board connection portion extending rearward from the terminal body portion and disposed outside the housing, the terminal body portion has a press-fit protrusion that presses an inner wall portion of the terminal accommodating chamber and an elastically deformable elastic contact piece, the housing has a rear wall portion positioned to face a rear end portion of the terminal body portion from behind, and the rear wall portion has an insertion space formed therein for inserting the board connection portion. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, the terminal body portion abuts against the rear wall portion, thereby preventing the terminal fitting from being displaced rearward relative to the housing.

[0010] (2) It is preferable that the terminal body has a rectangular cylindrical shape with both front and rear ends open, the board connection portion extends rearward from only one of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body, and the rear wall portion faces three of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body from which the board connection portion does not extend. With this configuration, when the terminal body is pressed against the rear wall portion, stress is distributed to the three plate portions, so that deformation of the terminal body can be prevented.

[0011] (3) In (1) or (2), the housing is preferably configured by assembling a housing main body in which the terminal accommodating chamber is integrally formed and the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber is open as an insertion port for the terminal body, and a retainer which is a separate part from the housing main body and is integrally formed with the rear wall portion. With this configuration, the terminal body can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber from the rear of the housing main body, so that the board connection portion can be prevented from interfering with the housing main body when the terminal fitting is assembled.

[0012] (4) In (3), it is preferable that the housing main body is formed with a guide portion for guiding the retainer in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the terminal body portion is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber during an assembly process of the retainer, and the insertion space is formed in a slit shape parallel to the assembly direction of the retainer. With this configuration, the retainer can be assembled to the housing main body without interfering with the board connection portion.

[0013] In the above-mentioned configuration, it is preferable that the terminal accommodating chambers are formed in the housing body so as to be aligned in a width direction intersecting with a direction in which the terminal body is inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers, and the pair of guide portions are disposed at both ends of the housing body in the width direction. With this configuration, the retainer can be held in a stably assembled state relative to the housing body.

[0014] (6) In (5), it is preferable that the housing main body has a pair of protective walls arranged to sandwich the board connection portion from both sides in the width direction, and the pair of guide portions are formed on the pair of protective walls. With this configuration, the shape of the housing main body can be simplified compared to a case in which the guide portions are formed in a position separate from the protective walls.

[0015] In the above-mentioned configuration, it is preferable that the housing main body is formed with a guide portion for guiding the retainer in a direction parallel to a direction in which the terminal body portion is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber during an assembly process of the retainer, and the board connecting portions are individually inserted into the plurality of insertion spaces. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the terminal accommodating chamber from the insertion space.

[0016] In (8) and (7), it is preferable that the housing main body has a plurality of the terminal accommodating chambers arranged in a width direction intersecting with a direction in which the terminal body is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber, and the retainer has at least three lock arms formed at intervals in the width direction for holding the retainer in an assembled state by engaging with the housing main body. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the retainer from being curved and deformed.

[0017] In (9) and (8), it is preferable that the housing main body has a pair of protective walls arranged to sandwich the board connection portion from both sides in the width direction, and the pair of locking arms are engaged with the pair of protective walls. With this configuration, the position of the retainer can be stabilized compared to a configuration in which the locking arms are engaged only at a position closer to the center than the pair of protective walls.

[0018] (10) In (1) or (2), it is preferable that the housing is configured by assembling a housing main body in which the terminal accommodating chamber and the rear wall are integrally formed and the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber is open as an insertion port for the terminal body, and a front member which is a separate part from the housing main body and faces the front end of the terminal body from the front. According to this configuration, since the rear wall is integrally formed with the housing main body, it is possible to reliably prevent the terminal body from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber to the rear even if the terminal fitting is strongly pressed from the front.

[0019] In (11) and (10), it is preferable that the front member has a front wall portion facing the front end portion of the terminal body portion from the front, a pair of side wall portions extending rearward from both widthwise ends of the front wall portion, and a pair of bottom wall portions connected to the front wall portion and the pair of side wall portions, and the front member is engaged with the housing main body at the pair of side wall portions and the pair of bottom wall portions. With this configuration, both widthwise ends of the front member are unlikely to deform because the front wall portion, the side wall portions, and the bottom wall portions are connected. Therefore, the front member can be reliably attached to the housing main body.

[0020] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A board connector A according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In this first embodiment, the F direction in Figs. 1 to 6 is defined as the front with respect to the front-rear direction. The H direction in Figs. 1 to 6 is defined as the up-down direction. The R direction in Figs. 1, 2, 4 to 6 is defined as the right-hand direction. The left-right direction and the width direction are used synonymously.

[0021] The board connector A of the present embodiment 1 is a connector mounted on an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) 50, which is a type of circuit board. The area of ​​the FPC 50 where the board connector A is mounted is strengthened by a reinforcing plate 52 to suppress bending deformation. In the present embodiment 1, the mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50 is disposed horizontally facing upward.

[0022] The board connector A is constructed by assembling a housing 10, a plurality of first terminal fittings 30, and a plurality of second terminal fittings 42. The housing 10 is constructed by assembling a housing body 11 made of synthetic resin and a retainer 20 which is a separate part from the housing body 11. The housing body 11 is a single part having a terminal accommodating portion 12 and a pair of protective walls 17. The housing body 11 is adapted to be fixed to a mounting surface 51 of a circuit board via pegs 49.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 13 are formed in the terminal accommodating portion 12. The terminal accommodating chambers 13 are elongated spaces in the front-rear direction, and are divided into two levels, upper and lower, arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The cross-sectional shape of the terminal accommodating chambers 13 when cut perpendicularly to the front-rear direction is rectangular. A connection hole 26 communicating with the front end of the terminal accommodating chambers 13 is formed in the front wall portion 14 of the terminal accommodating portion 12. A tab of a mating terminal (not shown) is inserted into the connection hole 26 from the front of the housing 10. The opening area of ​​the connection hole 26 on the front surface of the front wall portion 14 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the terminal accommodating chambers 13.

[0024] The rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 opens as an insertion opening 15 on the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12. The opening shape of the insertion opening 15 on the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12 is rectangular. The opening area of ​​the insertion opening 15 on the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the terminal accommodating chamber 13. Specifically, the width dimension of the insertion opening 15 is the same as the width dimension of the terminal accommodating chamber 13, but the height dimension of the insertion opening 15 is larger than the height dimension of the terminal accommodating chamber 13. In a rear view of the housing main body 11 seen from the rear, the opening area of ​​the insertion opening 15 extends downward beyond the lower edge of the terminal accommodating chamber 13. The lower end of the insertion opening 15 functions as a relief portion 16 that is lowered in a stepped manner relative to the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13.

[0025] The pair of protective walls 17 extend rearward from both left and right edges of the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12. The pair of protective walls 17 are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction with the wall thickness direction facing the left-right direction. Guide holes 18L, 18R are formed in the front ends of the left and right protective walls 17, penetrating the protective wall 17 in the left-right direction. The guide holes 18L, 18R are elongated and open in the vertical direction. The front faces of the guide holes 18L, 18R are continuous and flush with the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12. The left guide hole 18L has a pair of upper and lower retaining portions 19 formed therein.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the retainer 20 is a single component having a plate shape as a whole. The retainer 20 is attached to the rear end of the housing body 11 with the plate thickness direction facing the front-rear direction. A locking protrusion 22 protruding upward and downward is formed on the right edge of the retainer 20. The retainer 20 is formed with an insertion groove 23 that penetrates the retainer 20 in the front-rear direction. The insertion groove 23 opens on the left edge of the retainer 20 and has a slit shape that extends in a straight line to the right of the retainer 20. A pair of upper and lower lock arms 24 are formed on the left end of the retainer 20. The lock arms 24 are shaped to extend to the left in a cantilever shape. An upward lock protrusion 25 is formed on the left end of the upper lock arm 24, and a downward lock protrusion 25 is formed on the left end of the lower lock arm 24. The portion of the retainer 20 above the insertion groove 23 and the portion below the insertion groove 23 function as a rear wall portion 21 of the housing 10 .

[0027] The first terminal fitting 30 is a single component formed by bending, hammering, etc., a piece of metal plate material punched out into a predetermined shape. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the first terminal fitting 30 is a female terminal having a terminal body portion 31 that is elongated in the front-rear direction and a first board connecting portion 37 that extends rearward from the rear end of the terminal body portion 31.

[0028] The terminal body 31 is generally shaped like a rectangular tube with both front and rear ends open. The terminal body 31 has a lower plate 32, a pair of left and right side plate portions 33, and an upper plate portion 34. The lower plate portion 32 is elongated in the front-rear direction with its thickness direction facing up and down. The pair of left and right side plate portions 33 extend upward from both left and right side edges of the lower plate portion 32. The upper plate portion 34 extends parallel to the lower plate portion 32 from the upper edge of the right side plate portion 33.

[0029] A resilient contact piece 35 is provided inside the terminal body 31. The resilient contact piece 35 resiliently contacts a tab of a mating terminal inserted into the terminal body 31 from the front of the first terminal fitting 30. A press-fit protrusion 36 is formed on the upper plate 34. The press-fit protrusion 36 is a portion formed by hammering a part of the upper plate 34 upward. The press-fit protrusion 36 is located at a position rearward of the center of the upper plate 34 in the front-rear direction.

[0030] The first board connection part 37 extends rearward from the rear end of the lower plate part 32. The first board connection part 37 has a first step part 38 extending downward from the rear end of the lower plate part 32, a first extension part 39 extending rearward from the lower end of the first step part 38, a first leg part 40 extending downward from the rear end of the first extension part 39, and a first mounting part 41 extending rearward from the lower end of the first leg part 40. The rear surface of the first step part 38 is disposed at the same position as the rear end surface of the upper plate part 34 and the rear end surfaces of the left and right side plate parts 33 in the front-rear direction. The first mounting part 41 is adapted to be welded to the land of the mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50 by reflow soldering.

[0031] The second terminal fitting 42, like the first terminal fitting 30, is a single component formed by bending, hammering, etc., a single metal plate material punched out into a predetermined shape. As shown in Fig. 6, the second terminal fitting 42 has a terminal body 31 having the same configuration as the terminal body 31 of the first terminal fitting 30, and a second board connecting portion 43.

[0032] The second board connection part 43 extends rearward from the rear end of the lower plate part 32. The second board connection part 43 has a second step part 44 extending downward from the rear end of the lower plate part 32, a second extension part 45 extending rearward from the lower end of the second step part 44, a second leg part 46 extending downward from the rear end of the second extension part 45, and a second mounting part 47 extending rearward from the lower end of the second leg part 46. The rear surface of the second step part 44 is disposed at the same position as the rear end surface of the upper plate part 34 and the rear end surfaces of the left and right side plate parts 33 in the front-rear direction. The second mounting part 47 is adapted to be welded to the land of the mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50 by reflow soldering.

[0033] Next, the assembly process of the board connector A of the first embodiment will be described. First, the terminal body 31 of the first terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the upper terminal accommodating chamber 13 from the rear of the housing body 11. During the insertion process, the press-in projection 36 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 while being pressed against it. When the front end of the terminal body 31 abuts against the front wall 14 and the first step portion 38 is accommodated in the relief portion 16, the insertion of the first terminal fitting 30 is completed.

[0034] Next, the terminal body 31 of the second terminal fitting 42 is inserted into the lower terminal accommodating chamber 13 from the rear of the housing body 11. During the insertion process, the press-in projection 36 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 while being pressed against it. When the front end of the terminal body 31 abuts against the front wall 14 and the second step portion 44 is accommodated in the relief portion 16, the insertion of the second terminal fitting 42 is completed.

[0035] When the first terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 13, the press-in projections 36 press against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13, thereby holding the terminal body 31 in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 in a retained state. Since the first terminal fitting 30 is a member having an elastic contact piece 35 that is elastically deformable, the metal plate material used for the first terminal fitting 30 is relatively thin. Therefore, the retaining force provided by the bite of the press-in projections 36 is not strong. The same is true for the second terminal fitting 42.

[0036] Next, the retainer 20 is assembled to the housing body 11. During assembly, the left end of the retainer 20 is inserted into the right guide hole 18R from the right side of the housing body 11. During the assembly process, the retainer 20 is guided into the right guide hole 18R, so that the insertion posture of the retainer 20 is stabilized, and the insertion path of the retainer 20 is stabilized in the up-down and front-rear directions. During the assembly process, the retainer 20 is kept in sliding contact with the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12, or in a state of being closely opposed to the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12. When the left end of the retainer 20 enters the left guide hole 18L at the end of the assembly process, the upper and lower locking arms 24 are temporarily elastically deformed in a direction approaching each other.

[0037] When the retainer 20 reaches the correct assembly position, the locking projection 22 abuts against the outer surface of the right-side protective wall portion 17, thereby restricting the retainer 20 from moving leftward from the correct assembly position. Also, when the retainer 20 reaches the correct assembly position, the locking arm 24 elastically returns and the locking projection 25 locks against the anti-detachment portion 19 from the left side. This locking holds the retainer 20 in a prevented state in which its relative displacement to the rightward with respect to the housing main body 11 is restricted. In this manner, the retainer 20 is assembled to the housing main body 11, and assembly of the housing 10 is completed.

[0038] The first extension portion 39 of the first terminal fitting 30 and the second extension portion 45 of the second terminal fitting 42 are present in the middle of the assembly path of the retainer 20. However, since the insertion groove 23 having a lateral slit shape is formed at the same height as the first extension portion 39 in the retainer 20, the first board connection portion 37 is accommodated in the insertion groove 23 during the assembly process of the retainer 20. Therefore, the retainer 20 does not interfere with the first extension portion 39. In addition, since the lower end edge of the retainer 20 is located higher than the second extension portion 45, the retainer 20 does not interfere with the second extension portion 45 either.

[0039] When the first terminal fitting 30, the second terminal fitting 42, and the retainer 20 are assembled to the housing body 11, the rear wall portion 21 of the retainer 20 covers the entire terminal body portion 31 of the first terminal fitting 30 and the entire terminal body portion 31 of the second terminal fitting 42 in rear view. After the retainer 20 is assembled, the first board connecting portion 37 and the second board connecting portion 43 are moved rearward to bring the rear end face of the terminal body portion 31 into contact with the front face of the rear wall portion 21. This contact restricts the first terminal fitting 30 and the second terminal fitting 42 from being displaced rearward relative to the housing 10. With the above, assembly of the board connector A is completed.

[0040] Furthermore, in the process of inserting the first terminal fitting 30 and the second terminal fitting 42, if the position of the rear end face of the terminal main body 31 can be set flush with the rear face of the housing main body 11, then after assembling the retainer 20, the process of moving the first terminal fitting 30 and the second terminal fitting 42 rearward to abut against the rear wall portion 21 is not necessary.

[0041] The board connector A of the first embodiment includes a housing 10 having a terminal receiving chamber 13, and a first terminal fitting 30 and a second terminal fitting 42 made of a metal plate. The first terminal fitting 30 has a terminal body 31 accommodated in the terminal receiving chamber 13, and a first board connection part 37 extending rearward from the terminal body 31 and disposed outside the housing 10. The second terminal fitting 42 has a terminal body 31 accommodated in the terminal receiving chamber 13, and a second board connection part 43 extending rearward from the terminal body 31 and disposed outside the housing 10. The terminal body 31 is a female part having a press-in projection 36 that presses against the inner wall part of the terminal receiving chamber 13 and an elastic contact piece 35 that can be elastically deformed. The housing 10 has a rear wall part 21 positioned so as to face the rear end part of the terminal body 31. The rear wall part 21 has an insertion groove 23 through which the first board connection part 37 is inserted. According to the board connector A of the first embodiment, the terminal body 31 abuts against the rear wall 21, thereby preventing the first terminal fitting 30 and the second terminal fitting 42 from being displaced rearward relative to the housing 10.

[0042] The terminal body 31 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with both front and rear ends open. The first board connection part 37 and the second board connection part 43 extend rearward only from one of the four plates (the lower plate 32, the left and right side plates 33, and the upper plate 34) constituting the terminal body 31. The rear wall 21 faces three of the four plates (the lower plate 32, the left and right side plates 33, and the upper plate 34) constituting the terminal body 31 from which the first board connection part 37 does not extend (the left and right side plates 33 and the upper plate 34). With this configuration, when the terminal body 31 is pressed against the rear wall 21, the stress is distributed to the three plates (the left and right side plates 33 and the upper plate 34), so that deformation of the terminal body 31 can be prevented.

[0043] The housing 10 is configured by assembling a housing body 11 and a retainer 20. The housing body 11 is a member in which the terminal accommodating chamber 13 is integrally formed. The rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 opens on the rear surface of the housing body 11 as an insertion opening 15 for the terminal main body portion 31. The retainer 20 is a separate component from the housing body 11. The retainer 20 is integrally formed with a rear wall portion 21. With this configuration, the terminal main body portion 31 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 13 from the rear of the housing body 11, so that the first board connecting portion 37 and the second board connecting portion 43 can be prevented from interfering with the housing body 11 when the terminal fitting is assembled.

[0044] The housing body 11 is formed with guide holes 18L, 18R that guide the retainer 20 in a left-right direction intersecting with the insertion direction (front-rear direction) of the terminal main body portion 31 into the terminal accommodating chamber 13 during the process of assembling the retainer 20. The insertion groove 23 has a slit shape that is parallel to the assembling direction of the retainer 20 into the housing body 11. With this configuration, the retainer 20 can be assembled to the housing body 11 without interfering with the first board connecting portion 37.

[0045] In the housing body 11, a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 13 are formed so as to be aligned in a width direction (left-right direction) intersecting with the insertion direction of the terminal main body portion 31 into the terminal accommodating chambers 13. The pair of guide holes 18L, 18R are disposed at both ends in the width direction of the housing body 11. With this configuration, the retainer 20 can be held in a stably assembled state relative to the housing body 11.

[0046] The housing body 11 has a pair of protective walls 17 arranged to sandwich the first board connection portion 37 and the second board connection portion 43 from both sides in the width direction. The pair of guide holes 18L, 18R are formed in the pair of protective walls 17. With this configuration, the shape of the housing body 11 can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the guide holes 18L, 18R are formed in a location separate from the protective wall portions 17.

[0047] [Example 2] A board connector B according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 14. In this second embodiment, with regard to the front-rear direction, the F direction in Figures 7 to 15 is defined as the front. With regard to the up-down direction, the H direction in Figures 7, 8, and 10 to 15 is defined as the upward direction. With regard to the left-right direction, the R direction in Figures 7, 9 to 15 is defined as the right. The left-right direction and the width direction are used synonymously.

[0048] The board connector B of the second embodiment is a connector mounted on the horizontally upward mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50, similar to the board connector A of the first embodiment. The board connector B is configured by assembling a housing 60, a plurality of first terminal fittings 90, and a plurality of second terminal fittings 102. The housing 60 is configured by assembling a housing main body 61 made of synthetic resin and a retainer 75 which is a separate part from the housing main body 61. The housing main body 61 is a single part having a terminal accommodating portion 62 and a pair of protective walls 70. The housing main body 61 is configured to be fixed to the mounting surface 51 of the circuit board via a peg 107.

[0049] A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 63 are formed in the terminal accommodating portion 62. The terminal accommodating chambers 63 are elongated spaces in the front-rear direction, and are divided into two levels, upper and lower, arranged in parallel in the left-right direction. The cross-sectional shape of the terminal accommodating chambers 63 when cut perpendicularly to the front-rear direction is rectangular. A connection hole 65 communicating with the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 63 is formed in the front wall portion 64 of the terminal accommodating portion 62. A tab of a mating terminal (not shown) is inserted into the connection hole 65 from the front of the housing 60. The opening area of ​​the connection hole 65 on the front surface of the front wall portion 64 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the terminal accommodating chamber 63. The rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 63 opens as an insertion port 66 on the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62. The opening shape of the insertion port 66 on the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62 is rectangular.

[0050] A pair of left and right guide holes 67 are formed in the terminal accommodating portion 62. The pair of guide holes 67 are arranged between the upper terminal accommodating chamber 63 and the lower terminal accommodating chamber 63. The guide hole 67 is an elongated space that opens in the left-right direction at the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62 and extends forward from the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62. A lock hole 68 is formed in the terminal accommodating portion 62. The lock hole 68 is arranged between the pair of guide holes 67. A pair of left and right protruding first retaining portions 69 are formed inside the lock hole 68.

[0051] The pair of protective walls 70 extend rearward from both left and right edges of the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62. The pair of protective walls 70 are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction with the wall thickness direction facing the left-right direction. A guide groove 71 extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the inner surface of each protective wall 70. A recessed second retaining portion 72 is formed in each guide groove 71.

[0052] The retainer 75 is a single component having a rear wall portion 76, a pair of left and right guided portions 78, a pair of left and right first lock arms 79, and a pair of left and right second lock arms 81. The rear wall portion 76 is a rectangular portion with a wall thickness direction facing the front-rear direction. The rear wall portion 76 is formed with a plurality of insertion holes 77 penetrating the rear wall portion 76 in the front-rear direction. In a rear view of the retainer 75 seen from the rear, the opening area of ​​the insertion holes 77 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the terminal accommodating chamber 63 at the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62. The upper edge of the insertion hole 77 is lower than the upper surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 63 on the upper stage side. The lower edge of the insertion hole 77 is lower than the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 63 on the upper stage side.

[0053] The pair of guided portions 78 are plate-shaped portions whose plate thickness direction faces the up-down direction and which extend forward in a cantilever manner from both left and right ends of the front surface of the rear wall portion 76. The pair of first lock arms 79 are disposed between the pair of guided portions 78 and extend forward in a cantilever manner from the front surface of the rear wall portion 76. A first lock protrusion 80 is formed at the front end of the first lock arm 79. The first lock arm 79 can be elastically deformed in the left-right direction. The second lock arm 81 is a portion which extends backward in a cantilever manner from both left and right side edges of the rear wall portion 76. A second lock protrusion 82 is formed at the rear end of the second lock arm 81. The second lock arm 81 can be elastically deformed in the left-right direction.

[0054] The first terminal fitting 90 is a single component formed by bending, hammering, etc. a piece of metal plate material punched out to a predetermined shape. The first terminal fitting 90 is a female terminal having a terminal body portion 91 that is elongated in the front-rear direction and a first board connecting portion 97 that extends rearward from the rear end of the terminal body portion 91.

[0055] The terminal body 91 is generally in the shape of a square tube with both front and rear ends open. The terminal body 91 has a lower plate 92, a pair of left and right side plate parts 93, and an upper plate part 94. The lower plate part 92 is a part that is elongated in the front-rear direction with the plate thickness direction facing the up-down direction. The pair of left and right side plate parts 93 are parts that extend upward from both left and right side edges of the lower plate part 92. The upper plate part 94 is a part that extends parallel to the lower plate part 92 from the upper end edge of the right side plate part 93. An elastic contact piece 95 is provided inside the terminal body 91. The elastic contact piece 95 elastically contacts the tab of a mating terminal (not shown) inserted into the terminal body part 91 from the front of the first terminal fitting 90. A press-fit protrusion 96 is formed on the upper plate part 94. The press-fit protrusion 96 is a part that is formed by hammering a part of the upper plate part 94 upward. The press-fit projection 96 is disposed at a position rearward of the center of the upper plate portion 94 in the front-rear direction.

[0056] The first board connection portion 97 extends rearward from the rear end of the lower plate portion 92. The first board connection portion 97 has a first extending portion 98 extending flush from the rear end of the lower plate portion 92, a first leg portion 99 extending downward from the rear end of the first extending portion 98, and a first mounting portion 100 extending rearward from the lower end of the first leg portion 99. The first mounting portion 100 is adapted to be welded to a land on the mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50 by reflow soldering.

[0057] The second terminal fitting 102, like the first terminal fitting 90, is a single component formed by bending, hammering, etc., a single metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape. The second terminal fitting 102 has a terminal body 91 having the same configuration as the terminal body 91 of the first terminal fitting 90, and a second board connection part 103. The second board connection part 103 extends rearward from the rear end of the lower plate part 92. The second board connection part 103 has a second extension part 104 extending flush with the rear end of the lower plate part 92, a second leg part 105 extending downward from the rear end of the second extension part 104, and a second mounting part 106 extending rearward from the lower end of the second leg part 105. The second mounting part 106 is adapted to be welded to a land on the mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50 by reflow soldering.

[0058] Next, the assembly process of the board connector B of this Example 2 will be described. Before assembly, the first terminal fitting 90 has a terminal body 91 already formed, and the first board connection portion 97 extends linearly rearward from the terminal body 91. Before assembly, the second terminal fitting 102 has a terminal body 91 already formed, and the second board connection portion 103 extends linearly rearward from the terminal body 91.

[0059] During assembly, the terminal body 91 of the first terminal fitting 90 is inserted into the upper terminal accommodating chamber 63 from the rear of the housing body 61. During the insertion process, the press-in projection 96 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 63 while being pressed against it. When the front end of the terminal body 91 abuts against the front wall 64, the insertion of the first terminal fitting 90 is completed. Next, the terminal body 91 of the second terminal fitting 102 is inserted into the lower terminal accommodating chamber 63 from the rear of the housing body 61. When the front end of the terminal body 91 abuts against the front wall 64, the insertion of the second terminal fitting 102 is completed.

[0060] When the terminal body 91 of the first terminal fitting 90 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 63, the press-in projection 96 presses against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 63, thereby holding the terminal body 91 in the terminal accommodating chamber 63 in a retained state. Since the first terminal fitting 90 is a member having an elastic contact piece 95 that is elastically deformable, the metal plate material used for the first terminal fitting 90 is relatively thin. Therefore, the retaining force provided by the bite of the press-in projection 96 is not strong. The same is true for the second terminal fitting 102.

[0061] Next, the retainer 75 is assembled to the housing body 61. During assembly, the rear wall portion 76 is brought close to the housing body 61 from behind, and the first board connection portion 97 is inserted into the insertion hole 77. At this time, the second board connection portion 103 is located slightly below the lower end of the rear wall portion 76, so it does not interfere with the retainer 75. In the process of inserting the first board connection portion 97 into the insertion hole 77, the pair of guided portions 78 are fitted into the pair of guide holes 67. The fitting of the guided portions 78 and the guide holes 67 stabilizes the insertion posture of the retainer 75 during the insertion process, and stabilizes the insertion path in the vertical and horizontal directions. As the insertion progresses, the pair of first lock arms 79 are inserted into the lock holes 68, and the pair of second lock arms 81 are slidably contacted with the guide grooves 71 in an elastically deformed state.

[0062] At the end of the assembly process of the retainer 75, the first locking projection 80 interferes with the first removal prevention portion 69, so that the first locking arm 79 is elastically deformed. Then, when the rear wall portion 76 comes into contact with the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62 or comes close to and faces the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62, the first locking arm 79 elastically returns to its original position so that the first locking projection 80 engages with the first removal prevention portion 69, and the second locking arm 81 elastically returns to its original position so that the second locking projection 82 engages with the second removal prevention portion 72. The first locking arm 79 and the second locking arm 81 engage with the housing main body 61, so that the retainer 75 is held in a removal prevention state in which the relative displacement of the retainer 75 to the housing main body 61 in the rearward direction is restricted. In this manner, the assembly of the housing 60 is completed. After the retainer 75 is assembled to the housing body 61, the first board connection portion 97 in a straight line is bent to form the first leg portion 99 and the first mounting portion 100. The second board connection portion 103 in a straight line is bent to form the second leg portion 105 and the second mounting portion 106.

[0063] When the first terminal fitting 90, the second terminal fitting 102, and the retainer 75 are assembled to the housing body 61, the rear wall portion 76 of the retainer 75 covers the entire terminal body portion 91 of the first terminal fitting 90 and the entire terminal body portion 91 of the second terminal fitting 102 in rear view. After the retainer 75 is assembled, the first board connecting portion 97 and the second board connecting portion 103 are moved rearward to bring the rear end face of the terminal body portion 91 into contact with the front face of the rear wall portion 76. This contact restricts the first terminal fitting 90 and the second terminal fitting 102 from being displaced rearward relative to the housing 60. With the above, assembly of the board connector B is completed.

[0064] Furthermore, in the process of inserting the first terminal fitting 90 and the second terminal fitting 102, if the position of the rear end face of the terminal main body portion 91 can be set flush with the rear face 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62, then after assembling the retainer 75, the process of moving the first terminal fitting 90 and the second terminal fitting 102 rearward to abut against the rear wall portion 76 is not necessary.

[0065] The board connector B of the second embodiment includes a housing 60 having a terminal receiving chamber 63, and a first terminal fitting 90 and a second terminal fitting 102 made of a metal plate. The first terminal fitting 90 has a terminal body 91 accommodated in the terminal receiving chamber 63, and a first board connection part 97 extending rearward from the terminal body 91 and disposed outside the housing 60. The second terminal fitting 102 has a terminal body 91 accommodated in the terminal receiving chamber 63, and a second board connection part 103 extending rearward from the terminal body 91 and disposed outside the housing 60. The terminal body 91 has a press-in projection 96 that presses against the inner wall part of the terminal receiving chamber 63, and an elastic contact piece 95 that can be elastically deformed. The housing 60 has a rear wall part 76 positioned so as to face the rear end part of the terminal body 91 from the rear. The rear wall part 76 has an insertion hole 77 through which the first board connection part 97 is inserted. According to this configuration, the terminal body 91 abuts against the rear wall portion 76, so that the first terminal fitting 90 and the second terminal fitting 92 are prevented from being displaced rearward relative to the housing 60.

[0066] The terminal body 91 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with both ends open. The first board connection part 97 and the second board connection part 103 extend rearward only from one of the four plates (the lower plate 92, the left and right side plates 93, and the upper plate 94) constituting the terminal body 91. The rear wall 76 faces three of the four plates (the lower plate 92, the left and right side plates 93, and the upper plate 94) constituting the terminal body 91 from which the first board connection part 97 and the second board connection part 103 do not extend (the left and right both side plates 93 and the upper plate 94). With this configuration, when the terminal body 91 is pressed against the rear wall 76, the stress is distributed to the three plates (the left and right both side plates 93 and the upper plate 94), so that deformation of the terminal body 91 can be prevented.

[0067] The housing 60 is configured by assembling a housing body 61 and a retainer 75. A terminal accommodating chamber 63 is integrally formed with the housing body 61. A rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 63 opens on the rear surface of the housing body 61 as an insertion opening 66 for a terminal main body portion 91. The retainer 75 is a separate component from the housing body 61. A rear wall portion 76 is integrally formed with the retainer 75. With this configuration, the terminal main body portion 91 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 63 from the rear of the housing body 61, so that the first board connecting portion 97 and the second board connecting portion 103 can be prevented from interfering with the housing body 61 when the terminal fitting is assembled.

[0068] The housing main body 61 is formed with guide holes 67 as guide portions that guide the retainer 75 in a direction parallel to the insertion direction of the terminal main body portion 91 into the terminal accommodating chamber 63 during the process of assembling the retainer 75. A plurality of first board connecting portions 97 are individually inserted into the plurality of insertion holes 77. This configuration makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the terminal accommodating chamber 63 through the insertion holes 77.

[0069] A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 63 are formed in the housing body 61. The plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 63 are arranged side by side in a width direction (left and right direction) intersecting with the insertion direction (front and back direction) of the terminal body portion 91 into the terminal accommodating chambers 63. At least three lock arms (a pair of first lock arms 79 and a pair of second lock arms 81) that engage with the housing body 61 to hold the retainer 75 in an assembled state are formed at intervals in the width direction in the retainer 75. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the retainer 75 from being curved and deformed.

[0070] The housing main body 61 has a pair of protective walls 70 arranged to sandwich the first board connection portion 97 and the second board connection portion 103 from both sides in the width direction. The pair of second lock arms 81 are engaged with the pair of protective walls 70. This configuration makes it possible to stabilize the posture of the retainer 75, compared to a configuration in which the first lock arm 79 and the second lock arm 81 are engaged only at positions closer to the center than the pair of protective walls 70.

[0071] [Example 3] A board connector C according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 16 to 22. In this third embodiment, with regard to the front-rear direction, the F direction in Figs. 16 to 22 is defined as the front. With regard to the up-down direction, the H direction in Figs. 16 to 22 is defined as the up. With regard to the left-right direction, the R direction in Figs. 16, 17, 20 to 22 is defined as the right. The board connector C according to the third embodiment has a housing 110 configured differently from that of the second embodiment.

[0072] The board connector C of this embodiment 1 is a connector that is mounted on a horizontally upward mounting surface 51 of an FPC 50, similar to the board connectors A and B of the embodiment 1 and the embodiment 2. The board connector C is configured by assembling a housing 110, a plurality of first terminal fittings 90, and a plurality of second terminal fittings 102. The first terminal fittings 90 are the same parts as the first terminal fittings 90 of the embodiment 2, and the second terminal fittings 102 are the same parts as the second terminal fittings 102 of the embodiment 2.

[0073] The housing 110 is configured by assembling a housing main body 111 made of synthetic resin and a front member 130 which is a separate part from the housing main body 111. The housing main body 111 is a single part having a terminal accommodating portion 112 and a pair of left and right protective wall portions 121. The housing main body 111 is configured to be fixed to the mounting surface 51 of the circuit board via pegs 122. The pair of protective wall portions 121 are portions which extend rearward from both left and right edges on the rear surface of the terminal accommodating portion 112.

[0074] A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 113 are formed within the terminal accommodating portion 112. The terminal accommodating chambers 113 are elongated spaces in the front-rear direction, and are divided into two levels, upper and lower, arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The cross-sectional shape of the terminal accommodating chambers 113 when cut perpendicularly to the front-rear direction is rectangular. At the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion 112, the front ends of the terminal accommodating chambers 113 open as insertion openings 114. The opening shape of the insertion openings 114 at the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion 112 is rectangular.

[0075] The terminal accommodating portion 112 has a rear wall portion 115 that closes the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 113. The rear wall portion 115 is formed with a plurality of insertion holes 116 that penetrate the rear wall portion 115 in the front-rear direction. In a rear view of the housing main body 111 seen from the rear, the plurality of insertion holes 116 are arranged so as to overlap the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 113 individually. The opening area of ​​the insertion holes 116 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the terminal accommodating chambers 113 and the insertion opening 114 on the front surface of the housing main body 111. The upper edge of the insertion hole 116 is lower than the upper surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113. The lower edge of the insertion hole 116 is at the same height as the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113. The lower surface of the insertion hole 116 is continuous and flush with the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113.

[0076] A pair of left and right fitting recesses 117 and a pair of left and right guide ribs 118 are formed on both left and right outer surfaces of the terminal accommodating portion 112. The pair of fitting recesses 117 are shallowly recessed portions of the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 112. The pair of guide ribs 118 are portions that extend linearly forward from the rear end edge of the fitting recesses 117. A first locking protrusion 119 is formed in each fitting recess 117. A pair of left and right second locking protrusions 120 are formed on the bottom surface of the terminal accommodating portion 112.

[0077] The front member 130 is a single component having a front wall portion 131, a pair of left and right side wall portions 133, and a pair of left and right bottom wall portions 136. The front wall portion 131 is a portion whose wall thickness direction faces the front-rear direction. The front wall portion 131 is formed with a plurality of connection holes 132 penetrating the front wall portion 131 in the front-rear direction. The plurality of connection holes 132 are arranged so as to individually communicate with the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 113. In a front view of the front member 130 seen from the front, the minimum opening area of ​​the connection hole 132 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the terminal accommodating chamber 113 (insertion opening 114) at the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion 112. The connection hole 132 is adapted to receive a mating terminal (not shown) inserted from the front of the housing 110.

[0078] The pair of left and right side walls 133 are portions that extend rearward in a cantilever shape from both left and right edges of the front wall 131 with the wall thickness direction facing the left and right direction. The side walls 133 are elastically deformable so as to tilt left and right. Each side wall 133 is formed with a guide groove 134 that penetrates the side wall 133 in the left and right direction. The guide groove 134 is a space that opens at the rear end edge of the side wall 133 and extends linearly forward. A first locking portion 135 is formed at the rear end of the side wall 133, and is formed by recessing the inner surface of the side wall 133. A groove for stamping is formed in front of the first locking portion 135.

[0079] The pair of bottom walls 136 are cantilevered portions extending rearward from both left and right ends of the lower edge of the front wall 131 with the wall thickness direction facing up and down. One side edge of the bottom wall 136 is connected to the lower edge of the side wall 133 at a right angle. The bottom wall 136 is elastically deformable so as to tilt up and down. A second locking portion 137 is formed at the rear end of the bottom wall 136 by recessing the upper surface of the bottom wall 136. A groove for punching is formed in front of the first locking portion 135.

[0080] Next, the assembly process of the board connector C of this embodiment 3 will be described. Before assembly, the first terminal fitting 90 has a terminal body 91 already formed, and the first board connection portion 97 extends linearly rearward from the terminal body 91. Before assembly, the second terminal fitting 102 also has a terminal body 91 already formed, and the second board connection portion 103 extends linearly rearward from the terminal body 91.

[0081] During assembly, the first terminal fitting 90 is inserted into the upper terminal accommodating chamber 113 from the front of the housing body 111, and the first board connection portion 97 extending linearly is inserted into the insertion hole 116. During the process of inserting the terminal main body portion 91 into the terminal accommodating chamber 113, the press-in projection 96 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113 while being pressed against it. When the rear end of the terminal main body portion 91 hits the front surface of the rear wall portion 115, the insertion of the first terminal fitting 90 is completed.

[0082] Next, the second terminal fitting 102 is inserted from the front of the housing body 111 into the lower terminal accommodating chamber 113, and the second board connection portion 103 extending linearly is inserted into the insertion hole 116. During the process of inserting the terminal main body portion 91 into the terminal accommodating chamber 113, the press-in projection 96 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113 while being pressed against it. When the rear end of the terminal main body portion 91 hits the front surface of the rear wall portion 115, the insertion of the second terminal fitting 102 is completed.

[0083] When the terminal body 91 of the first terminal fitting 90 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 113, the press-in projection 96 presses against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113, thereby holding the terminal body 91 in the terminal accommodating chamber 113 in a retained state. Since the first terminal fitting 90 is a member having an elastic contact piece 95 that is elastically deformable, the metal plate material used for the first terminal fitting 90 is relatively thin. Therefore, the retaining force provided by the bite of the press-in projection 96 is not strong. The same is true for the second terminal fitting 102.

[0084] With the first terminal fitting 90 and the second terminal fitting 102 assembled to the housing body 111, the rear wall portion 115 of the terminal accommodating portion 112 covers the entire terminal body portion 91 of the first terminal fitting 90 and the entire terminal body portion 91 of the second terminal fitting 102 in rear view. Therefore, even if a pressing force acts on the first terminal fitting 90 and the second terminal fitting 102 from the front, the first terminal fitting 90 and the second terminal fitting 102 will not be displaced rearward relative to the housing body 111.

[0085] Next, the front member 130 is assembled to the housing main body 111. During assembly, the front member 130 is brought close to the front of the housing main body 111, and the left and right side wall portions 133 are fitted into the fitting recesses 117, and the guide grooves 134 are fitted into the guide ribs 118. By fitting the side wall portions 133 into the fitting recesses 117, the front member 130 is positioned in the left-right direction relative to the housing main body 111, and the posture of the front member 130 in the left-right direction is stabilized. By fitting the guide grooves 134 into the guide ribs 118, the front member 130 is positioned in the up-down direction relative to the housing main body 111, and the posture of the front member 130 in the up-down direction is stabilized.

[0086] When the assembly of the front member 130 is continued in this state, the left and right bottom wall portions 136 come into sliding contact with the underside of the housing main body 111. Toward the end of the assembly process, the first locking portions 135 of the side wall portions 133 interfere with the first locking projections 119, causing the left and right side wall portions 133 to temporarily elastically deform so as to spread apart, and the second locking portions 137 of the bottom wall portion 136 interfere with the second locking projections 120, causing the bottom wall portion 136 to temporarily elastically deform downward.

[0087] When the front member 130 reaches the correct assembly position, the front wall portion 131 abuts against the front surface of the housing main body 111, closing the insertion opening 114. The left and right side wall portions 133 elastically return to their original position so that the first locking portion 135 engages with the first locking projection 119, and the left and right bottom wall portions 136 elastically return to their original position so that the second locking portion 137 engages with the second locking projection 120. Due to these engagements, the front member 130 is held in a prevented state in which it is prevented from coming off forward from the housing main body 111.

[0088] After the front member 130 is attached to the housing main body 111, the first board connection portion 97 in a straight line is bent to form the first leg portion 99 and the first mounting portion 100. The second board connection portion 103 in a straight line is bent to form the second leg portion 105 and the second mounting portion 106. The bending of the first board connection portion 97 and the second board connection portion 103 may be performed before the front member 130 is attached to the housing main body 111. With the above, the assembly of the board connector C is completed.

[0089] The board connector C of the third embodiment includes a housing 110 having a terminal receiving chamber 113, and a first terminal fitting 90 and a second terminal fitting 102 made of a metal plate. The first terminal fitting 90 has a terminal body 91 accommodated in the terminal receiving chamber 113, and a first board connection portion 97 extending rearward from the terminal body 91 and disposed outside the housing 110. The second terminal fitting 102 has a terminal body 91 accommodated in the terminal receiving chamber 113, and a second board connection portion 103 extending rearward from the terminal body 91 and disposed outside the housing 110. The terminal body 91 has a press-in projection 96 that presses against an inner wall portion of the terminal receiving chamber 113, and an elastic contact piece 95 that can be elastically deformed. The housing 110 has a rear wall portion 115 that is positioned so as to face the rear end portion of the terminal body 91 from the rear. The rear wall portion 115 has an insertion hole 116 through which the first board connection portion 97 is inserted. According to this configuration, the terminal body 91 abuts against the rear wall 115, so that the first terminal metal fitting 90 and the second terminal metal fitting 102 can be prevented from being displaced rearward relative to the housing 110.

[0090] The terminal body 91 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with both front and rear ends open. The first board connection part 97 and the second board connection part 103 extend rearward only from one of the four plates (the lower plate 92, the left and right side plate parts 93, and the upper plate part 94) constituting the terminal body 91. The rear wall part 115 faces three of the four plates (the lower plate 92, the left and right side plate parts 93, and the upper plate part 94) constituting the terminal body 91 from which the first board connection part 97 and the second board connection part 103 do not extend (the left and right side plate parts and the upper plate part 94). With this configuration, when the terminal body 91 is pressed against the rear wall part 115, the stress is distributed to the three plates (the left and right side plate parts 93 and the upper plate part 94), so that deformation of the terminal body 91 can be prevented.

[0091] The housing 110 is configured by assembling a housing main body 111 in which a terminal accommodating chamber 113 and a rear wall portion 115 are integrally formed, and a front member 130. The front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 113 opens at the front surface of the housing main body 111 as an insertion opening 114 for inserting the terminal main body portion 91 into the terminal accommodating chamber 113. The front member 130 is a component separate from the housing main body 111, and is a member that faces the front end portion of the terminal main body portion 91 from the front. According to this configuration, since the rear wall portion 115 is integrally formed with the housing main body 111, it is possible to reliably prevent the terminal main body portion 91 from coming out rearward from the terminal accommodating chamber 113 even if the first terminal fitting 90 or the second terminal fitting 102 is strongly pressed from the front.

[0092] The front member 130 has a front wall portion 131, a pair of left and right side wall portions 133, and a pair of left and right bottom wall portions 136. The front wall portion 131 is a portion facing the front end portion of the terminal main body portion 91 from the front. The pair of side wall portions 133 are portions extending rearward from both widthwise end edges of the front wall portion 131. The pair of bottom wall portions 136 are connected to the front wall portion 131 and the pair of side wall portions 133. The front member 130 is locked to the housing main body 111 at the first lock portions 135 of the pair of side wall portions 133 and the second lock portions 137 of the pair of bottom wall portions 136. According to this configuration, both widthwise end portions of the front member 130 are unlikely to deform because the front wall portion 131, the side wall portions 133, and the bottom wall portions 136 are connected. Therefore, the front member 130 can be reliably assembled to the housing main body 111.

[0093] [Other Examples] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but is indicated by the claims. The present invention includes the equivalent meaning of the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims, including the following embodiments. In the first to third embodiments, the circuit board to which the board connection portion is connected is not limited to an FPC (flexible circuit board), and may be a circuit board that does not have flexibility. In the first to third embodiments, of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body, the rear wall portion may face only two or only one of the plate portions. In the first to third embodiments, the terminal body may have a shape other than a rectangular tube shape. In the first to third embodiments, the press-fit projections are not limited to those formed by hammering out the plate portion, but may be those formed by projecting the edge portion of the plate portion flush with the surface. In the first embodiment, the guide portions may be formed at locations other than both widthwise ends of the housing main body. In the first embodiment, the guide portion may be formed in a location separate from the protective wall portion. In the second embodiment, the total number of the first lock arms and the second lock arms may be any of two, three, five or more. In the second embodiment, the first lock arm and the second lock arm may be formed only in a portion separate from the protective wall portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] A…Board connector B…Board connector C...Board connector 10. Housing 11…Housing body 12...Terminal housing 12R: Rear of terminal housing 13...Terminal chamber 14...Front wall part 15…Insertion port 16…Relief section 17...Protective wall part 18L…Guide hole (guide part) 18R...Guide hole (guide part) 19…Retaining part 20…Retainer 21...Rear wall part 22...Latching protrusion 23...Through groove (through space) 24…Lock arm 25…Lock protrusion 26...Connection hole 30...First terminal metal fitting (terminal metal fitting) 31...Terminal body (substrate connection part) 32…Lower plate part 33...Side plate part 34…Upper plate 35...Elastic contact piece 36…Press-fit protrusion 37…First board connection part 38…First step 39...First extension part 40...1st leg 41…First mounting section 42...Second terminal metal fitting (terminal metal fitting) 43...Second board connection part (board connection part) 44…Second step 45...Second extension part 46...Second leg 47…Second mounting section 49…Peg 50…FPC 51...Mounting surface 52…Reinforcement plate 60…Housing 61…Housing body 62...Terminal housing 62R…Rear side of terminal housing 63...Terminal chamber 64...Front wall part 65...Connection hole 66…Insertion port 67...Guide hole 68...Lock hole 69…First retaining part 70...Protective wall part 71...Guide groove 72…Second retaining part 75…Retainer 76...Rear wall part 77...Through hole (through space) 78...Guided part 79…First lock arm (lock arm) 80…First lock protrusion 81...Second lock arm (lock arm) 82…Second lock protrusion 90...First terminal metal fitting (terminal metal fitting) 91...Terminal body 92…Lower plate part 93...Side plate part 94…Upper plate 95...Elastic contact piece 96…Press-fit protrusion 97...First board connection part (board connection part) 98...First extension part 99...1st leg 100…First mounting section 102...Second terminal metal fitting (terminal metal fitting) 103...Second board connection part (board connection part) 104…Second extension part 105...Second leg 106…Second mounting section 107…Peg 110…Housing 111…Housing body 112...Terminal housing 113...Terminal chamber 114…insertion slot 115...Rear wall part 116...insertion hole (insertion space) 117…Mating recess 118…Guide rib 119…First lock protrusion 120…Second lock protrusion 121...Protective wall section 122…Peg 130…Front member 131...Front wall part 132...Connection hole 133…Side wall 134...Guide groove 135…First lock section 136…Bottom wall 137…Second lock section

Claims

1. a housing having a terminal receiving chamber; and a terminal fitting made of a metal plate material, The terminal fitting has a terminal body portion accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber and a board connecting portion extending rearward from the terminal body portion and disposed outside the housing, The terminal body has a press-fit protrusion that presses against an inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber and a resiliently deformable resilient contact piece, The housing has a rear wall portion located so as to face the rear end portion of the terminal body from behind, The rear wall portion has an insertion space through which the board connection portion is inserted.

2. The terminal body is in the shape of a square tube with both front and rear ends open, the board connection portion extends rearward from only one of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body, 2. The connector for circuit boards according to claim 1, wherein the rear wall portion faces three of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body from which the circuit board connection portion does not extend.

3. The housing includes: a housing main body in which the terminal accommodating chamber is integrally formed, the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber being open as an insertion port for the terminal main body; 3. The board connector according to claim 1, further comprising a retainer which is a separate part from said housing body and which is integrally formed with said rear wall portion.

4. The housing main body is formed with a guide portion that guides the retainer in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the terminal body portion is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber during an assembly process of the retainer, 4. The board connector according to claim 3, wherein the insertion space has a slit shape parallel to an assembly direction of the retainer.

5. The housing main body has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers formed therein so as to be aligned in a width direction intersecting with an insertion direction of the terminal body portion into the terminal accommodating chamber, 5. The board connector according to claim 4, wherein the pair of guide portions are disposed at both ends of the housing body in the width direction.

6. the housing body has a pair of protective walls arranged to sandwich the board connection portion from both sides in the width direction, 6. The board connector according to claim 5, wherein the pair of guide portions are formed on the pair of protective walls.

7. The housing main body is formed with a guide portion that guides the retainer in a direction parallel to a direction in which the terminal body portion is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber during an assembly process of the retainer, The board connector according to claim 3 , wherein a plurality of the board connection portions are individually inserted into the plurality of insertion spaces.

8. The housing main body has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers formed therein so as to be aligned in a width direction intersecting with an insertion direction of the terminal body portion into the terminal accommodating chamber, 8. The circuit board connector according to claim 7, wherein at least three lock arms are formed on the retainer at intervals in the width direction for engaging with the housing body to hold the retainer in an assembled state.

9. the housing body has a pair of protective walls arranged to sandwich the board connection portion from both sides in the width direction, 9. The circuit board connector according to claim 8, wherein the pair of lock arms are engaged with the pair of protective walls.

10. The housing includes: a housing main body in which the terminal accommodating chamber and the rear wall portion are integrally formed, and a front end of the terminal accommodating chamber is opened as an insertion opening for the terminal main body portion; 3. The circuit board connector according to claim 1, further comprising a front member which is a separate part from the housing body and which faces the front end of the terminal body from the front.

11. The front member is a front wall portion facing a front end portion of the terminal body from the front; A pair of side walls extending rearward from both widthwise ends of the front wall; a pair of bottom walls connected to the front wall and the pair of side walls; The board connector according to claim 10 , wherein the front member is engaged with the housing body at the pair of side walls and the pair of bottom walls.

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